Members of the 2017 MNO Canoe Expedition with Premier Wynne and other dignitaries. Premier Wynne is second on the left in the back row; on her right is her spouse Jane Rounthwaite, to her right MNO Chair and Acting President France Picotte; beside her Katelyn Stenlund with the MNO Kenora Métis Council; beside her Theresa Stenlund, PCMNO Region 1 Councilor and beside her Brady Hupet, Secretary-Treasurer of the MNO Sunset Country Métis Council.Starting on August 9, 2017, The MNO Canoe Expedition had some extra crew members as they were joined for four days by Premier Kathleen Wynne and a number of other dignitaries. Among those who also joined the Canoe Expedition for the Fort Frances leg of their 2200 kilometre trek were MNO Chair and Acting President France Picotte, Region 1 Provisional Council of the MNO Councilor Theresa Stenlund, MNO Sunset Country Métis Secretary-Treasurer Brady Hupet, Katelyn Stenlund with the MNO Kenora Métis Council and Jane Rounthwaite, Premier Wynne’s spouse.

“Jane and I are excited to paddle with youth from the MNO on the Fort Frances leg,” the Premier said in a statement Monday August 7. “I am honoured to have this opportunity to spend time with them and learn more about Métis culture, heritage and the role that Métis have played and continue to play in Ontario and Canada’s history,” she added.

“In a summer of amazing experiences, paddling with the Premier will definitely be one of the most memorable,” stated MNO Acting President France Picotte, “this was an awesome experience for our Métis youth to spend so much time with the Premier. It highlights the positive relationship we have been able to build between the Ontario and MNO in the last number of years.”

The Canoe Expedition started in Ottawa on May 23 and has already traversed most of the province by following the historic fur trade routes of their voyageur ancestors. Their journey will come to an epic conclusion as they enter the Lake of the Woods and paddle into Kenora at the beginning of the MNO Annual General Assembly on August 18.